IONIDES

ΙΩΝΙΔΕΣ

Also Iôniades, a name borne by four nymphs believed to possess healing powers--Calliphaea, Synallasis, Pegaea and Iasis. They had a temple on the river Cytherus in Elis, and derived their name from a mythical Ion, a son of Gargettus, who was believed to have led a colony from Athens to those districts. The story undoubtedly arose from the existence of a mineral spring on the spot where their sanctuary stood. (Paus. vi. 22. § 4; Strab. viii. p. 356.)